History

The late Workers’ Party president Tomás Mac Giolla argued that without an end to economic exploitation there can be no freedom. Addressing the Sinn Féin Ard Fheis of January 1970, Mac Giolla said: “Our objective is the re-conquest of Ireland from the ground landlords, the river barons, the speculators, the

In 1930’s Ireland, like elsewhere in Europe, ideological struggle often spilled over into violence. Here Fergus Whelan recounts a tale from his own family history of the street battles between Republicans and those acting on behalf of the Right.

Friedrich Engels seems fated to be overshadowed by Marx, but that does a great injustice to one of socialism’s greats, writes Aindrias Ó Cathasaigh, author of a new biography of the German socialist. It can be hard to get sight of Friedrich Engels as he still remains in the shadow

Historian Fergus Whelan outlines the story of United Irishman Jemmy Hope (1764–1847) and sees the radical Presbyterian’s belief in steadfast opposition to sectarianism being as important today as it was in the 18th century. There are many people and groups in Ireland who claim for themselves the mantle of Irish

Historian Brian Hanley outlines how southern Ireland’s most successful political force has curtailed the development of functioning democratic politics but he sounds a word of caution to those who maybe premature in celebrating the party’s demise.